Type case



Aug. 28, E. p. HAMlLTON 1,971,749

TYPE CASE Filed Dec. l1 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l fm. f3

A11g- 28, 1934. E. P. HAMILTON 1,971,749

TYPE CASE Filed DeG. 11. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 28, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT N OFFICE TYPE CASE Application December 11, 1931, Serial No. 580,245

13 Claims.

This invention relates to type cases and among other objects aims to provide a magazine which may be used with a conventional cabinet for holding type, the type being removable from the .5., magazine without opening the cabinet, means being provided for automatically advancing type toward the mouth of the magazine as type is removed therefrom.

l A further object of the invention is to prol'iQ' vide a simple and eicient structure to accomplish theforegoing purpose. g

` Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description.

My inventionqmay be understood by reference to the illustrative embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure'il is a front elevation, parts being shown in section, of a `portion of type case embodying my invention; i129.' Figure 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing in dotted lines the preferred method of removal of a type block in accordance `with my invention. l

Figure 3 is a partial plan view of the left hand side of the structure of Figure 1, parts .being shown in section; 1

Figure 4'is a partial plan view of the right hand side of the structure of Figure 1 with certain parts shown in Figure 3 removed to show the construction; and

Figure isa perspective view ofthepreferred form of tray and follower employed in conjunction with my invention.

Referring in detail to the figures ofthe draw- .5. ings, I have shown portions of a conventional cabinet 1 provided with brackets 2 for `horizontally supporting type magazines such as the drawers 3. A drawer 3 in this instance comprises a rectangular metal frame including side members 4 of box-section and transverse bottom members 5 and 6 connecting the side members at the front and rear of the drawer. f The side members 4 have their closed walls attached to vertical flanges 7 of the bottom pieces 5 and 6 and the side members 4, being of box section, reinforce the drawer longitudinally thereof. The members 4 extend vertically a distance slightly less than the distance between two vvertically disposed brackets 2, so that a drawer 3 slides, by means of the side members 4, on two horizontally disposed pairs of said brackets. The side members 4 thus constitute smooth runner portions adapted to contact with said brackets. The rear transverse member 6 is desirably extended angularly in a vertical flange 8 constituting a back wall for the drawer 3. A reinforcing angle 9connects the `ange 8 and each of the side members 4. Handles 9a may be secured to each side of the drawer 3, preferably in the channel of the side members 4 as at 10 by means of which 6o the drawersmay be conveniently slid in and out of the cabinet 1, when this is desired, for example,

to quickly reload a drawer. In accordance with my invention, however, the necessity for sliding the drawers in and out of the cabinet is'largely 65 eliminated, since I provide means for yieldingly receiving a column of type blocks and a follower pressing upon the rear of the column to advance the blocks towardthefront of the cabinet as a block is removed from the column.

As here shown, each drawer 3 contains a plurality of narrow parallel trays l1 arranged side by side longitudinally of the drawer,` that is from front to rear, the trays being just wide enough to receive a column of type blocks 12, the blocks beingarranged in the trays in front to rear abutment with their type faces 13 preerably facing laterally. Eachk tray 11 is slotted along the bottom as at 14 and in the Villustrative construction this slot is formed in general by depressing a mid-portion of the tray longitudinally thereof as at l5. Atthe front end of the tray, however, the depressed portion 15 is discontinued while the slot 14 is continued through the front wall 16 of the tray to form a skeleton portion, for a 85 purposepresently described. The front end of the depressed portion 15V may conveniently abut the front wall 17 of the drawer 3 which is conveniently formed by producing a vertical ange portion on the member 5 the flange portion being 90 doubled back upon itself and lapping the bottom piece 5 as at 1'1a to strengthen the drawer transversely. In accordance with my invention the trays `11 project forwardly beyondthe front wall 17 of the drawer. 95

In the illustrative construction, disposed longitudinally in the depressed portions l5 of each of the trays, I have shown a coil spring 18 which isanchored at one end to the tray near the forward end thereof as by means of the perforated anchor member 19 which may be produced as al lug struck out of the bottom wall of the portion 15. The other end of the spring is secured to a Vfollower 20 which is slidable in the tray and, in this instance, is elongated longitudinally ofthe tray as at its portion `21, the portion 21 having an angular tail 22 which travels in the slot 14 andis perforated to have one end of the spring 18 secured thereto. The follower 20 thereby laps the spring 18 and the spring is extensible 110 in the depressed portion 15 and beneath the slot 14 as the follower slides in the tray 11, the follower having a snug sliding fit between the longitudinal walls 22e of the tray, which serve as guides therefor.

A plurality of type blocks as in the column 12 may be inserted between the front wall 1 6 of the tray'and the follower 20 thetray thusyieldingly receiving them, since as the number of type blocks in the column is increased, the spring 18 will be extended. At the same time, the follower 20 will continue to press the column of type blocks toward the front of the tray. Conversely when a type block is removedkjby the-typesetten for example, from the front'of the -tray,vthe.fre-v maining blocks in the column willebe advanced, so that there is always a type block at the front or mouth of the tray so long as there 'are `type blocks in the tray. Since the tray pr'criectsbev yond the front wall 17 of the drawer 3 and since the'tra'ysare spaced vertically av greater distance than the height of the type blocks, thef-mouthof the tray is always open and the foremost type block in a column 12 is always accessible and type blocks may be inserted in orr'emoved `from the trays without mOVingth'e drawers-'Sin' the cabinet 1. I have illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2 a type block 23 beinginseted in or removed from a tray'll by th'e'thumb and `forenger ofthe typesett'er or other operator. The blocks may be ierno've'dby merely canting theinforward sufficiently to cause themfto drop out of the tray, but I desirably provide means sucnas a skeleton portion formed in ,part by the continuatibn'of the slot 14 throughthefront wall 16 ofthe tray, whereby a finger may be 'inserted beneath the type block to elevate itwhile at the Sametime canting it forward, thus facilitating insertion or removal of the block.

YSocon'struoted'and'arranged the drawers may beused-without a special cabinet beingprovi'ded therefor and the typesetter may quicklysel'ect the typefrequired without the necessity of `moving thedrawers in and out of the cabinet.

To'prevent the follower 20'fr'om creeping upe u wardly, I have 4shown atohgue 24 which-maybe struck'o'ut of the body ofthe follower and AeX- tended forwardlythereof -to vlappingly underlie oneor'm'ore of the type blocks vof! the column 1-2.

AIlegend: plate 25 isdesirablyfsuitably secured to the front wall 'of each drawer 3 Yand-thisplate has branched extensions-25a which are continued around the forward ends ofthe trays and present the reclinedfsurfaoes V26 uponfwhich legends s'ueh v as A, B, C etc. may be inscribed, indicating both upper and lower case, in addition to-each of the integer 'numerals and other special type.

Obviously the invention is not limited to details o'f Iconstruction herein shown for purposes'of exemplication and'sueh'changes may be made as fall within the scope of the following claims withLV out departing 'from the invention.

-For example, the drawer parts including the trays may be `advantageously secured together'as by'welding or spot welding. In this'irista'nc'e, theref're," the traysare in effect an integral part of the' drawer vbut it' 4is not tofbe understood that this illustrative construction is `essential, 's'ince various VAmeans of attachment of the v'p'f'a.rt's\'rr'1ay be "employedfand the trays vmay 'be made Yrer'riov ablefrm thefdraws. y

haiti iiieach tray and secured to the spring, whereby the follower presses upon the column of type blocks in each tray and advances the blocks to- 'wardthe front of 1 the drawer and beyond the 'ont-asblocksfare removed from a column. '2'.5The structure of claim 1 wherein the slot in each tray is continued through the front Wall of the tray.

3; The-structure of claim 1 wherein the slot in each tray is partially depressedv along a midportion of the tray vlongitudinally thereof, said depressed portion terminating short of the front wall of the-tray;

4. Th'estructureof claim l wherein the slot in'e'ach tra'yisfpar-tially depressed along a 'midportioh of the tray longitudinally thereof, said depressed portion terminating short of the front wall or" the tray and wherein the coil'sprngs'are anchored to 'said depressed portions.

5. -In a type-lease, the'eohibination of acabinet; a plurality of vertically spaced 'drawers slidable-in-'said cabinet; afplurality of parallel trays in each said drawer eachfor-holdi'ng-a colum'nlof type blocks, said trays having the'rfr'ont walls projected beyond the frontv 'walls 'of said drawers; a slot in the bottoin of 'each'tray'longit'udinally thereof, said 'slot being formed p'artiallybydepressing a mid-portion ofv'each tray longitudinally, said depressed portion being received within thedrawer to'abut the front wallthere'of and being4 'discontinued short fo'f the front wall of the tray and-said slot being' continued forwardly of the depressed portion and through the front wall `f the tray; =a `legend-plate secured 'to the front wallfof'reach drawer 'in 'longitudinal alignment with the depressed portions of the trays, said legend Iplate having branched-extensions, each ofwhich i'scontinued around VAa portion "of the front walls -of adjacent trays and discontinued in longitudinal alignment with the said slots; and yi'ei'di'n'g means for 'moving the blocli'sforwardly ofthetrays as a block is removed from thefor ward end thereof.

f6; Thestructureof claim 5 wherein the drawers have side members formed of boXf-sect-ion.

1"7. Thestruetur'e of claim 5 wherein the drawers have side members formed of box-section and wherein-'a handle is -secured within each side member and said handle extends `beyond the frontwall of trays.

A8. A typelcase lincluding la tray havingria slot in its mid-portion longitudinally thereof, `said slot be'ing partially? frormed'by depressing a midportion of the tray longitudinally thereof,said depressed portion terminatingshortA ofthe front wall of the tray; a slot through thelfront wa-ll of I'said tray and mer-'ging intothe slotiformed by the-:depressed portion; a followerhaving-fa portion parallel to the front wall 'of the tray and'snugly slidable in the tray toward and away from said front wall; said follower f hai/'ingaan'- otherfportio'nlfin the plane of the Ibottom ofthe tray :and movable' in' said eslot, said latter por-v tion'fbeing extended toward the front-wall of the tr-'ay yto"under1ie a 'column-of type receivable roo in the tray; and spring means for urging the follower toward the front wall of the tray.

9. A type case including a tray for holding a column of type blocks in front to rear abutment; a longitudinal slot in said tray continued uninterruptedly through the front wall thereof; and a follower carried by said tray and having a portion traveling in said slot.

l0. A type case including an elongated tray having a slot continued uninterruptedly throughout its bottom wall and front wall, said slot being partially depressed along a mid-portion of the tray to provide a longitudinal channel therein, said channel terminating short of the front wall of the tray; a follower having a portion parallel to the front wall of the tray and another downwardly directed portion traveling in said channel; and an extension coil spring having one end anchored upon an upright tongue stuck out of said channel and having its other end secured to the portion of the follower traveling in the channel, said follower having still another portion directed forwardly thereof and traveling in said channel in the plane of the bottom wall of the tray.

11. In a type case, the combination with a plurality of type magazines carried thereby and arranged one above the other, each of said magazines being vertically spaced one from the other by said case and having a skeleton portion extending beyond the front wall of the case, each magazine adapted to contain a row of separable type blocks n front to rear abutment, and means for advancing the type blocks into said skeleton portion of the magazine.

12. In a type case, the combination with a plurality of type magazines arranged abreast one above the other, each magazine having a portion extending beyond the front wall of the case and being spaced vertically one from the other, and spring means associated with each individual magazine for advancing a row of separable type blocks from the rear to front of said case and into the portion of the magazine extending beyond the case.

13. In a type case, the combination of a plurality of drawers arranged abreast in vertical relationship and slidable horizontally to be removed from said case; a plurality of type magazines arranged abreast in each drawer, each magazine being projected forwardly beyond the case and drawers and being spaced vertically and horizontally from adjacent magazines whereby unobstructed access may be had to each magazine when the drawers are fully received in the case;

and spring means associated with each magazine h for advancing a column of separable type blocks from rear to front of the drawers and case and into each of the projected portions of the magazines.

EDWARD P. HAMILTON. 

